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Irresistable Children’S Literature: The Benefits Of Integrating Newbery Award Books Into The Curriculum, Rebekah E. Ricksecker

Senior Honors Theses

Reading is the most fundamental skill taught in school. Many schools rely heavily on textbooks and basal readers to teach reading skills. Research, however, shows that exposing students to outside literature is more likely to promote a love of reading that will last for a lifetime. Books that have won the Newbery Medal, which is given to “the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children” (Association, 2004, p. 3), can and should be integrated into the elementary and middle school curriculum. Given since 1922, Newbery Award books provide a variety of themes and thought-provoking topics appropriate for classroom use. …